Summary
United Rentals, Inc. (URI) filed an 8-K on May 18, 2012, reporting two significant events. Firstly, its primary operating subsidiary, United Rentals (North America), Inc., completed the sale of its software subsidiaries, InfoManager, Inc. and Wynne Systems, Inc., to Trapeze Software Group, Inc. (part of Volaris Group/Constellation Software Inc.). These subsidiaries were involved in developing and marketing software solutions for the equipment rental industry. This divestiture likely signals a strategic move to focus on core rental operations. Secondly, the company continued its share repurchase program, acquiring approximately $25 million worth of its common stock on the open market. This purchase brings the total repurchased to $100 million, half of the authorized $200 million program. These actions demonstrate management's confidence in the company's value and commitment to returning capital to shareholders.
Key Highlights
- 1Divestiture of software subsidiaries InfoManager, Inc. and Wynne Systems, Inc.
- 2Sale of software subsidiaries to Trapeze Software Group, Inc. (Volaris Group/Constellation Software Inc.)
- 3Focus likely shifting to core equipment rental operations
- 4Continued execution of share repurchase program
- 5Purchased approximately $25 million of common stock on the open market
- 6Total share repurchases now $100 million, half of the authorized $200 million program